Watch and Pray
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Mark 14:38
“You probably face many problems that wear you down. You deal with irritating people whom you must love and serve; you face burdens of unfinished tasks or lack of obvious results; you cope with helpers who let you down or fail to comprehend. Remember that in times of great stress, you are vulnerable to temptation, even if you are a willing spirit.”
When I read those notes in my study bible I felt as though someone had a front row seat into my life. It perfectly described how I had felt for the last couple of months and it was then that I realized just how vulnerable I had become to temptations.
Three times Jesus gave today’s passage to his followers when He was praying and suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked, “Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?”
What that question tells me is that our suffering has a time limit. God only knows how long that will be, but in the meantime He has made a way for us to remain faithful.
- Keep watch – stay awake and be morally vigilant
- Pray to God – this is how we maintain our vigiance
- Seek support of friends and loved ones – this is how we build up our resistance and help others; when one is weak the others are strong
- Focus on the purpose God has given you – this is how we do God’s will and not our own
Jesus not only told us to watch and pray, knowing that it was key to remaining faithful, but He also prayed for us. Part of His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane was;
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” – John 17:15-21
Think about that, the Savior of the World is watching over you and praying for you. Knowing that gives us the encouragement we need to watch and pray so that we remain faithful to Him.
